New Delhi. Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has made a big revelation in her autobiography 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', one of the biggest decisions of Indian politics of the 21st century. She told that in 2004, she was initially on the stance of 'Absolutely not' about accepting the post of Prime Minister, but after heavy pressure from the coalition partners, she reluctantly said 'Okay' in a low voice. However, he later rejected the position completely and clearly.
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Sonia Gandhi's autobiography 'Belonging: A Journey of Love' hit the market on Tuesday. In this book, for the first time, detailed details of his deep internal conflict and the concerns of his family behind his leaving the post of Prime Minister in 2004 have been revealed.
Fear of children after murder of grandmother and father
According to news agency PTI, Sonia Gandhi writes that her children Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were completely against their mother becoming Prime Minister. Both of them had suffered deep trauma from the brutal assassination of their grandmother Indira Gandhi and the death of their father Rajiv Gandhi in a bomb blast. It had settled in his mind that holding this constitutional post meant putting his life in great danger.
According to the book, this was discussed in the family a few months before the 2004 general elections. When the children directly asked her whether she would become the PM if the party won, Sonia immediately said, absolutely not. When the children asked again, he clearly said that he was completely clear about his decision. At that time the children heaved a sigh of relief.
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heavy pressure from coalition leaders
After the election results, during a meeting in Rajiv Gandhi's conference room at 10, Janpath, the leaders of the coalition parties were putting immense pressure on Sonia Gandhi to take up the post. Sonia Gandhi writes that when she refused to accept the post, there was chaos in the room. All the leaders stood up from their places and moved towards him and surrounded him. The leaders said in a strict and aggressive tone that we will not accept this, madam, you cannot take this decision. We don't want to hear 'no'.
Frightened by this pressure and noise, Sonia Gandhi said in a hushed, almost inaudible voice, 'Okay…'. As soon as he said this, all the leaders started congratulating him.
Priyanka became support after Rahul Gandhi's anger
At that time Priyanka Gandhi was standing outside the door. As soon as she heard 'Okay' from Sonia's mouth, she ran straight towards Rahul's room crying and said that the leaders have surrounded her mother and she has said yes. Rahul Gandhi angrily approached his mother and asked in a stern voice, 'How did you say yes?'
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Sonia replied, 'They were not listening to me, a lot of pressure was put on me.' Rahul expressed his displeasure on this and said, 'Pressure? Are you under pressure? What about us?' At the same time, Priyanka Gandhi told her mother in a calm voice that mother, you were always clear about this matter. Don't come under anyone's pressure. Do what you have decided, we both stand with you.
That night, Sonia Gandhi lay in her bedroom for a long time and struggled with the immense conflict within. On one hand, there was the thought of coming from Italy to lead the more than one billion people of India, and on the other hand, there was a feeling of duty and love towards the country and party workers. Amidst her exhaustion, when she was on the verge of sleep, her mind became completely clear. He told himself, Sonia, be honest with yourself. Leave it.
A few hours later, as soon as she woke up in the morning, she went straight to Rahul's room and knocked on the door and said that I have decided. I will stick to my stand. Rahul immediately hugged his mother and said that this was the right decision.
How was Manmohan Singh's name stamped?
After this, a very emotional and dramatic scene of the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting in Parliament emerged. Many MPs requested her to take up the post, but Sonia Gandhi politely declined the responsibility citing her conscience. There was a huge uproar in the House, after which Sonia Gandhi sought permission from the MPs to nominate her successor. As soon as he got the approval, he announced the name of Dr. Manmohan Singh.